Site induction requirements in the Northern Territory
Two 2026 changes put the Northern Territory out on its own. Here is what they mean for builders, and where the induction duty sits now that most houses have no WHS management plan.
Short answer: no NT law names a site induction, but the duty to inform and train workers applies on every job. Two 2026 changes set the NT apart: a construction project now starts at $1,000,000, and on residential work a SWMS for working at height is triggered by a fall of more than 3 metres.
Not sure which side of $1,000,000 or 3 metres your job is on? The NT job checker works it out, and the free site induction register gives you the record.
The NT at a glance
| Northern Territory | |
|---|---|
| Law | WHS (National Uniform Legislation) Act and Regulations 2011 |
| Site induction | Expected under the general duty |
| Housing | No exemption |
| Construction project | $1,000,000 or more since 28 May 2026 (r 292) |
| Fall trigger for a SWMS | More than 3 m on residential work, 2 m otherwise, since 17 July 2026 (r 291) |
| Regulator | NT WorkSafe |
Both changes were made in 2026, so a lot of NT advice online is out of date. The general duty to inform and train is unchanged: section 19(3)(f) of the Act and regulation 39.
What is a construction project in the NT now?
Construction work costing $1,000,000 or more (regulation 292). It was $500,000 until 28 May 2026, and a project whose work began before that date is still judged against $500,000 (regulation 837).
Most single houses now fall below the line. That means no WHS management plan and no formal duty to brief workers on one. The general duty still applies, and with no plan, the induction is the main way your site rules reach the people doing the work.
From $1,000,000, the principal contractor writes the plan with the site rules and makes each worker aware of it before they start (regulations 309 and 310).
When do you need a SWMS for working at height in the NT?
Since 17 July 2026, high risk construction work in the NT includes a risk of falling more than 3 metres on residential construction work, and more than 2 metres on everything else (regulation 291). Residential construction work means work connected with constructing a Class 1 building, such as a house, or a Class 10 building attached or next to one, such as a garage, carport or shed.
Two cautions:
- The definition refers to the construction of those buildings. It doesn't say whether renovating an existing house is covered, so check with NT WorkSafe before relying on it for a reno.
- The change only moves when a SWMS is required. The general duties to manage the risk of falls (regulations 78 and 79) apply at any height.
Does a white card cover it?
No. Nobody may do construction work without general construction induction training, and a card from another state is recognised (regulations 317 and 318). Check the card at the gate, then run the induction for this site.
Foreman's site inductions run in the phone's browser, so there's no app to install. On paper, use the free site induction register.
For the other states, see site induction requirements in every state.
This summarises NT law for builders and isn't legal advice. NT WorkSafe can confirm what applies to your site.
Sources
Every regulatory statement on this page traces to one of these. We recheck them when we update the page.
- Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011 (NT). NT Legislation, checked 15 October 2026.
- Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL No. 14). NT Legislation, checked 15 October 2026.
- Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Further Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL No. 21). NT Legislation, checked 15 October 2026.
- Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (NT). NT Legislation, checked 15 October 2026.